Publication Date:
2022-05-31
Description:
12-year quantitative phytoplankton data collected in the Tvarminne sea area in June-August from 1972-1985 were analysed in relation to environmental data collected at the same time. This was done by principal component analysis followed by canonical correlation analysis. A phytoplankton species succession which took place parallel to the increase in temperature was found to be the most important factor causing variation in species composition. The second most important factor was a change in phytoplankton species composition from the early 1970's towards the 1980's. This followed the same pattern as nutrient levels and total phytoplankton biomass. The species primarily responsible for the change were nanoplanktonic forms, such as unidentified flagellates, Cryptomonas spp., Monoraphidium contortum and Microcystis reinboldii, and a heterotroph, Ebria tripartita. It was concluded that this was due to increased levels of total phosphorus and organic load in the Gulf of Finland. Short-term weather conditions had no significant effect on species composition.
Type:
Article
,
NonPeerReviewed
Format:
text
